Stool with domed base and seat

ABSTRACT

A stool having a center column connecting a domed base and a domed seat is disclosed. The domed seat and/or the domed base may be resiliently deformable during use to provide a user with a “bouncing” sensation. The domed seat and/or domed base also may define or contain inflatable or fillable bladders to give them shape and/or provide the aforementioned “bouncing” sensation. The distance between the domed seat and domed base may be varied in some embodiments to adjust the height of the stool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to stools having a domed base and seat which permit a user to pivot about the base of the stool in multiple dimensions while seated on a domed surface.

BACKGROUND

Stools having rounded base surfaces are known. Specifically, DD 73 618 A1 to Wuensch, believed to be published Jun. 5, 1970 (“Wuensch”), and U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2009/0001788 A1 to Lenz et al., published Jan. 1, 2009 (“Lenz”), both disclose stools having rounded base surfaces. However, neither Wuensch nor Lenz disclose stools having one or more of the attributes of embodiments of the present invention, which may include, but are not limited to, a deformable base, a deformable seat, an inflatable base, an inflatable seat, a seat having a curved or domed shape as described herein, and/or a base having a curved or domed shape as described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Responsive to the foregoing challenges, Applicant has developed an innovative stool, comprising: a center column having an upper end and a lower end; a domed base provided at the center column lower end; and a domed seat provided at the center column upper end, wherein the domed seat defines or contains an inflatable seat bladder.

Applicant has further developed an innovative stool, comprising: a base having a curved outer surface adapted to rest on a flooring surface; an inflatable seat having a curved upper surface in its inflated state; and a center column extending between the base and the inflatable seat.

Applicant has still further developed an innovative stool, comprising: a base having a curved outer surface adapted to rest on a flooring surface, a resiliently deformable seat having a curved upper surface which is adapted to provide a bouncing sensation to a user; and a center column extending between the base and the deformable seat.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to assist the understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. The drawings are exemplary only, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a stool having a fixed center column length in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a stool having a fixed center column length in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a stool having a fixed center column length in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a stool having a fixed center column length in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a stool having a fixed center column length in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a stool having an adjustable center column length in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a stool having an adjustable center column length in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a stool having an adjustable center column length in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a stool having an adjustable center column length in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a first embodiment of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With reference to FIG. 1, a stool 100 may include a center column 110 having a lower end at which a domed base 130 is provided, and an upper end at which a domed seat 150 is provided. Preferably, the center column 110 may be generally cylindrically shaped with a diameter less than that of the domed base 130 and domed seat 150. The center column 110, domed base 130 and domed seat 150, may share a common central axis extending longitudinally upward through the domed base, center column, and domed seat. The center column 110 may include one or more storage compartments 112 for storing items, such as an inflation pump. The center column 110 may have a hollow interior, and may be constructed of any rigid material, such as, for example, plastic, composite, metal, wood, or the like.

The domed base 130 may include a base rigid portion 132 and a base convex portion 134. The base rigid portion 132 may connect the base convex portion 134 to the center column 110. In some embodiments of the invention, the base convex portion 134 and the base rigid portion 132 may be attached to each other through electromagnetic welding of a typical tongue and groove joint, for example, using the Emabond® welding process. Similarly, in some embodiments of the present invention, the seat convex portion 156 and the seat rigid portion 152 may be attached to each other in the same manner.

The base convex portion 134 may be constructed of material and in a manner which enables it to deform as the result of application of user body weight to it, but which will assume its un-deformed shape thereafter. In other words, the base convex portion 134 may be constructed of resilient material so that deformation of it is not permanent. More specifically, the base convex portion 134 may be constructed of material which, when sufficiently filled with gas, liquid, and/or gel and/or another sufficiently resilient substance, enables it to provide a “bouncing” sensation as the result of a user repeatedly bouncing up and down on the stool 100. For example, thermoplastic elastomer material may be suitable to provide bouncing sensation. It is appreciated that the weight of such users may vary from that of small children to full grown adults, and that different embodiments of the subject stool may provide different “bouncing” characteristics depending upon the material selected for the convex portion 134 and the weight of the user. Alternatively, the base convex portion 134 may be filled with a foam material such as polyurethane foam. The domed base 130 may further include a plurality of raised elements 136, such as the small rounded protuberances shown in FIG. 1. The raised elements 136 may provide anti-skid benefits to the domed base 130 relative to a flooring surface.

The domed seat 150 may include a seat rigid portion 152 having one or more handle recesses 154, and a seat convex portion 156. The seat rigid portion 152 may connect the seat convex portion 156 to the center column 110. In like fashion to the base convex portion 134, the seat convex portion 156 may be constructed of material and in a manner which enables it to deform as the result of application of user body weight to it, but which also assumes its non-deformed shape thereafter. Like the base convex portion 134, the seat convex portion 156 may be constructed of resilient material so that, when sufficiently filled with gas, liquid, gel and/or another sufficiently resilient substance, deformation of it is not permanent, and it provides a “bouncing” sensation when a user repeatedly bounces up and down on the stool 100. Alternatively, the seat convex portion 156 may be filled with a foam material such as polyurethane foam. The domed seat 150 may further include a plurality of raised elements 158.

It is noted that “domed” with reference to the domed seat 150 is intended to include, but not be limited to, a semi-spherical shape with a constant radius of curvature over a center portion, majority, or even all, of the seat convex portion 156, when in an un-deformed state. “Domed” with reference to the domed base 130 is intended to include, but not be limited to, a shape that is at least convex over a portion of its surface when in an un-deformed state. The domed base 130 need not, however, have a constant radius of curvature over a portion, majority, or all, of the base convex portion 134. Further, the domed base 130 may include a flat surface in its center to help facilitate the stool 100 maintaining an upright position when not in use.

The domed seat 150, and more specifically, the seat convex portion 156, may have a diameter “d” and center height “h,” as shown in FIG. 2. In preferred embodiments, the ratio of d:h for the domed seat 150 may be 5:1 or less, when the seat convex portion 156 is in an un-deformed yet inflated or filled state. More preferably, the ratio of d:h for the domed seat 150 may be 4:1 or less, and even more preferably, in the range of 2.9:1 to 3.7:1 when the seat convex portion 156 is in an un-deformed yet inflated or filled state. The domed base 130, and more specifically, the base convex portion 134, may also have a diameter “d” and center height “h,” as shown in FIG. 2. In preferred embodiments, the ratio of d:h for the domed base 130 may be equal to or greater than that for the domed seat 150. In some embodiments, the ratio of d:h for the domed base 130 may be 6:1 or less. These d:h ratios may be applicable to the other embodiments of the invention, illustrated, without limitation, in FIGS. 2-11.

With reference to FIG. 2, in a second embodiment of the invention in which like reference characters refer to like elements, the domed base 130, through the base convex portion 134 alone, or in combination with the base rigid portion 132, may define a base bladder which is sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere. Alternatively, a separately provided base bladder 135 may be contained within a base interior space defined by the domed base 130, e.g., the base convex portion 134 and base rigid portion 132. Similarly, the domed seat 150, through the seat convex portion 156 alone, or in combination with the seat rigid portion 152, may define a seat bladder which is sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere. Alternatively, a separately provided seat bladder 155 may be contained within the interior space defined by the domed seat 150, e.g., the seat convex portion 156 and seat rigid portion 152. The atmospherically sealed base bladder and seat bladder may contain gas, such as air, liquid, gel, foam, or other substance, to provide the domed seat 150 and domed base 130 with domed shapes, as defined above. When sufficiently inflated or filled for use without the weight of a user being applied, the base and seat bladders may be considered to be in an un-deformed state.

It is appreciated that, while the base convex portion 134 need not have a constant radius of curvature over a portion, majority, or all, of its outer surface when in an un-deformed state, it may have such a radius of curvature in various preferred embodiments of the invention, including without limitation, the second embodiment. Further, the base and/or seat bladders may be constructed to maintain internal gas pressure above that of the ambient pressure for the stool 100 at least for the duration of a seating experience.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, gas, such as air, may be supplied to the base and seat bladders via sealed gas passages 116 and 118, respectively, which may extend through the hollow interior of the center column 110. The gas passages 116 and 118 may provide gas communication between the base and/or seat bladders and an inflation valve 114 provided at an outer surface of the center column 110. The inflation valve 114 may provide a means for introducing gas to the base and/or seat bladders and maintaining gas pressure therein. A sensor 119 may be used to measure the pressure in the base and/or seat bladders, and based on such pressure, provide an aural or visual alert that the measured pressure is too low, or too high, or that the user has been sitting on the stool for longer than an advisable period of time. A ballast weight 120 may be disposed within the domed base 130 to assist in maintaining the stool 100 in an upright position, particularly when it is not in use.

With reference to FIG. 3, in which like reference characters refer to like elements, in a third embodiment of the invention, the domed base 130 and the domed seat 150 may each define or contain a base and seat bladder, respectively, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2. Gas may be supplied to the base and seat bladders via inflation valves 138 and 160, respectively. Gas pressure relief valves 140 and 162 may automatically release gas from the base and/or seat bladders, respectively, when such pressure exceeds a threshold limit. Alternatively, the gas pressure relief valves 140 and 162 may be manually actuated.

With reference to FIG. 4, in which like reference characters refer to like elements, in a fourth embodiment of the invention the domed base 130 and the domed seat 150 may each define or contain a base and seat bladder, respectively, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3. Gas may be supplied to the base and/or seat bladders via one or more integral valve inflation pumps 142 and 164, respectively. The inflation pumps 142 and 164 may be manually or electrically powered. One or more gas pressure relief valves 140 and 162 may automatically release gas from the base and/or seat bladders, respectively, when it exceeds a threshold limit. Alternatively, the gas pressure relief valves 140 and 162 may be manually actuated.

With reference to FIG. 5, in which like reference characters refer to like elements, in a fifth embodiment of the invention, the domed base 130 and the domed seat 150 may each define or contain a base and seat bladder, respectively, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4. Gas may be supplied to the base and/or seat bladders by a pump 122 disposed within the center column 110. The pump 122 may include output ports which selectively register with the gas passages 116 and 118. The domed base 130 and the domed seat 150 may each be independently rotatable relative to the center column 110.

Rotation of the domed base 130 relative to the center column 110 may cause the lower gas passage 116, and optionally the upper gas passage 118, to register with the pump 122 lower and upper output ports, thereby connecting the pump to the base and/or seat bladders. Bouncing motion on the stool 100 may cause the pump 122 to inflate the base and/or seat bladders when the pump 122 is connected thereto. Further rotation, or counter-rotation, of the domed base 130 relative to the center column 110 may take the lower gas passage 116 and the upper gas passage 118 out of registration with the pump 122 output ports, thereby disconnecting the pump from the base and/or seat bladders and sealing the base and/or seat bladders for stool use at constant pressure.

Likewise, rotation of the domed seat 150 relative to the center column 110 may cause the upper gas passage 118, and optionally the lower gas passage 116, to register with the pump 122 upper and lower output ports, thereby connecting the pump to the seat and/or base bladders. Bouncing motion on the stool 100 may cause the pump 122 to inflate the seat and/or base bladders when the pump is connected thereto. Further rotation, or counter-rotation, of the domed seat 150 relative to the center column 110 may take the upper gas passage 118 and lower gas passage 116 out of registration with the pump 122 upper and lower output ports, thereby disconnecting the pump from the seat and/or base bladders and sealing the bladders for stool use at constant pressure. One or more gas pressure relief valves (shown in other figures) may be used to automatically or manually release gas from the base and/or seat bladders.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in which like reference characters refer to like elements, in a sixth embodiment of the invention, an adjustable length mechanism, such as a gas cylinder, 124 may be disposed within the center column 110 and connect the domed base 130 to the domed seat 150. Further, the center column 110 may include an outer shroud 111 and an inner shroud 113. The relative and different diameters of the outer shroud 111 and inner shroud 113 permit the inner shroud to be received within the outer shroud in a nesting fashion. The length of the gas cylinder 124, shown in an extended position in FIGS. 6 and 7, may be manually adjusted using the gas cylinder actuator assembly 126 to change the distance between the domed base 130 and the domed seat 150, i.e., the height of the stool 100. For example, the gas cylinder 124 may be internally biased to assume an extended position which can be adjusted to assume and maintain a lesser extended or fully collapsed position through manipulation of the gas cylinder actuator assembly 126. It is appreciated that, in this manner, the stool 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may assume a collapsed position (not shown) in which the inner shroud 113 is substantially fully received within the outer shroud 111.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in preferred embodiments, but not necessarily in all embodiments, the domed base 130 and the domed seat 150 may each define or contain a base and seat bladder, respectively, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 2-5. Gas, liquid, or gel, may be supplied to the base and seat bladders via valves or pumps (shown in other figures). Further, pressure relief valves (shown in other figures) may be used to automatically release gas or manually release gas, liquid, or gel from the base and/or seat bladders.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, in which like reference characters refer to like elements, in a seventh embodiment of the invention, an adjustable length mechanism, such as a gas cylinder, 124 may be disposed within the center column 110 and connect the domed base 130 to the domed seat 150. The length of the gas cylinder 124, shown in a collapsed or un-extended position in FIGS. 8 and 9, may be manually adjusted using the gas cylinder actuator assembly 126 to change the distance between the domed base 130 and the domed seat 150, i.e., the height of the stool 100. For example, the gas cylinder 124 may be internally biased to assume an extended position which can be adjusted to assume and maintain a more extended position through manipulation of the gas cylinder actuator assembly 126. It is appreciated that, in this manner, the stool 100 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may assume an extended position (not shown) in which the upper portion of the gas cylinder extends beyond the center column 110.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the base convex portion 134 may be solid or otherwise un-inflatable. Further, the base convex portion 134 may include a central flat surface which aids in facilitating the stool's ability to maintain an upright position when not in use. Still further, in preferred embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, the domed seat 150 may define or contain a seat bladder, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 2-5. Gas, liquid or gel may be supplied to the seat bladder via a valve or pump (shown in other figures). Further, a pressure relief valve (shown in other figures) may be used to automatically release gas or manually release gas, liquid or gel from the seat bladder.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. It is intended that the present invention cover all such modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed:
 1. A stool, comprising: a center column having an upper end and a lower end; a domed base provided at the center column lower end; and a domed seat provided at the center column upper end, wherein the domed seat defines or contains an inflatable seat bladder.
 2. The stool of claim 1 wherein the domed seat comprises a seat rigid portion having a handle recess.
 3. The stool of claim 1 wherein the domed base defines or contains an inflatable base bladder.
 4. The stool of claim 3 wherein the domed base contains a ballast weight.
 5. The stool of claim 3, further comprising: a sealed gas passage extending through the center column fluidly connecting the seat bladder to the base bladder; and an inflation valve connected to at least one of the seat bladder and the base bladder.
 6. The stool of claim 3, further comprising: a sealed gas passage extending from an outer surface of the center column to at least one of the seat bladder and the base bladder; and an inflation valve provided in the sealed gas passage.
 7. The stool of claim 3, further comprising: a first inflation valve connected to the seat bladder; and a second inflation valve connected to the base bladder.
 8. The stool of claim 3, further comprising: a gas pressure relief valve connected to one of the seat bladder and the base bladder.
 9. The stool of claim 3, further comprising: at least one inflation pump integrated into at least one of the domed seat and the domed base and connected to at least one of the seat bladder and the base bladder.
 10. The stool of claim 1, further comprising: an inflation valve connected to the seat bladder; and a gas pressure relief valve connected to the seat bladder.
 11. The stool of claim 1, further comprising: a height adjustment mechanism disposed within the center column connecting the domed seat to the domed base.
 12. The stool of claim 11, wherein the center column comprises an outer shroud and an inner shroud surrounding the gas cylinder.
 13. The stool of claim 11 wherein the domed base defines or contains a base bladder.
 14. The stool of claim 13 wherein the domed base contains a ballast weight.
 15. The stool of claim 11 wherein the domed base is uninflatable.
 16. The stool of claim 1 wherein the domed seat has a diameter and a center height, and wherein the ratio of the diameter to center height is less than 5:1.
 17. A stool, comprising: a base having a curved outer surface adapted to rest on a flooring surface; an inflatable seat having a curved upper surface in its inflated state; and a center column extending between the base and the inflatable seat.
 18. The stool of claim 17, further comprising: a height adjustment mechanism disposed within the center column and connecting the base and the seat; and an actuator assembly configured to actuate the height adjustment mechanism to adjust the height of the seat relative to the base.
 19. The stool of claim 18, further comprising a ballast weight provided at the base.
 20. The stool of claim 17, further comprising a ballast weight provided at the base.
 21. The stool of claim 17, wherein the seat in its inflated state has a seat diameter and a seat center height defining a seat diameter to height ratio, wherein the base is un-inflatable and has a base diameter and a base center height defining a base diameter to height ratio, and wherein the base diameter to height ratio is greater than the seat diameter to height ratio.
 22. The stool of claim 21, wherein the seat diameter to height ratio is less than 5:1.
 23. The stool of claim 17, wherein the seat in its inflated state has a seat diameter and a seat center height defining a seat diameter to height ratio, wherein the base is inflatable and, in its inflated state, has a base diameter and a base center height defining a base diameter to height ratio, wherein the seat diameter to height ratio is the same as the base diameter to height ratio.
 24. The stool of claim 23, wherein the seat diameter to height ratio is less than 5:1.
 25. The stool of claim 17, wherein the seat in its inflated state has a seat diameter and a seat center height defining a seat diameter to height ratio, wherein the base is inflatable and, in its inflated state, has a base diameter and a base center height defining a base diameter to height ratio, wherein the base diameter to height ratio is greater than the seat diameter to height ratio.
 26. The stool of claim 25, wherein the seat diameter to height ratio is less than 5:1.
 27. The stool of claim 17, further comprising an inflation valve or pump connected to the inflatable seat.
 28. The stool of claim 17, wherein the base is inflatable.
 29. The stool of claim 28, further comprising a ballast weight provided at the base.
 30. The stool of claim 28, further comprising an inflation valve or pump connected to at least one of the inflatable base and inflatable seat.
 31. A stool, comprising: a base having a curved outer surface adapted to rest on a flooring surface; a resiliently deformable seat having a curved upper surface which is adapted to provide a bouncing sensation to a user; and a center column extending between the base and the deformable seat.
 32. The stool of claim 31, wherein the seat defines or contains a seat bladder containing one of a gas, a liquid, and a gel.
 33. The stool of claim 31, wherein the base is resiliently deformable to provide a bouncing sensation to a user.
 34. The stool of claim 33, wherein the base defines or contains a seat bladder containing one of a gas, a liquid, and a gel. 